How do we so suddenly find ourselves trapped inside a painful mood? Let's take a closer look.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is noted for developing the ABC model of behavior. One of the many versions of the model proposes an Activating Event (an experience or event that sets off the cascade), Beliefs (we evaluate what we've experienced, either rationally or irrationally), and Consequences (what happens in our mind or emotions, or actions we take as a result).

Is happiness simply a question of mind over matter? I've long pondered this curious conundrum.

Have you ever noticed how many beloved songs suggest that we have absolutely no control over our emotions? (One common message is "If you don't love me, I'll stay in a fetal position forever.") And yet other beloved songs imply just the opposite - that controlling our emotions should be as easy as blinking. "Forget your troubles; come on, get happy! If you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with! Put on a happy face! Don't worry, be happy!"

If you truly believe in the helpless-victim songs, a good therapist may be able to help you see that you do have the ability to influence your emotions. But does this ability go as far as the happy-face songs imply? Is it possible to simply grab your emotional bootstraps and yank yourself into joy? Short answer: No. Longer answer: Kind of.

The following are some very helpful links to information I wish all my patients knew about. Whenever I look for underlying contributors to chronic pain, massage therapy frequently completes the treatment process whereby muscles and connective tissues that are simply too tense, are released from chronic contraction to more relaxation and rest.

When it comes to health, emotions play a significant role. And how they are expressed in the physical body follows certain rules. So, along with strengthening our psychological resiliency, how can we handle our emotions for better health and freedom?

Everyday I talk with people who assume they needed all the tests and treatments their doctor ordered - whether a mainstream, allopathic M.D. or even a naturopath or functional medicine practitioner.

But that's not always true. According to a report from the National Physicians Alliance, some of the most frequently used tests and treatments often are unnecessary - and may be harmful. Even the common PSA test to detect prostate cancer has been under scrutiny for several years now.

Psychological resiliency relates to a person's tolerance for emotions. It reflects how well a person handles different emotions and hence, situations that are emotional (coping).

Some of the factors that can weaken a person's resiliency include:1. Traumatic events that are not processed effectively.2. Emotions such as fear, uncertainty, despair, hopelessness.3. Lack of self-esteem and constant anxiety or negative mind-chatter.4. Being "on the fence", feeling trapped, or holding onto secrets.5. Lack of a support system, especially early in life.6. Email, texting, and constant "unbuffered" communication.7. Nutrient imbalances and deficiencies.8. Chronic dehydration.9. Sedentary, indoor lifestyle.10. Environmental chemicals and toxins.

1. When we diet, we attempt to suppress thoughts of food. However, if we try not to think about something, soon that becomes our dominant thought. Feeling deprived increases the rewarding value (salience) of food, which then increases our craving for that food. If we indulge, we then feel out of control and resolve to intensify our dieting efforts. The cycle repeats.

People who have had a heart attack should avoid certain common painkillers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as celecoxib (Celebrex) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), can increase the risk of another heart attack or dying from coronary artery disease. The elevated risk persists for at least five years. Naproxen (Aleve) has the lowest cardiovascular risk of any NSAID. (Aspirin was not included here.)

INTRODUCTION-Since 1990, opiate prescription overdoses have more than tripled!

-80% of the world's supply of pain relievers (hydrocodone, etc.) is used by U.S. citizens! U.S. citizens make up 5% of the world's population.!

-In the NFL, more than half of former players have reported using opioids regularly, and 71% of those players reported misuse of the drugs, according to a 2011 study funded by ESPN and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

-Over 30,000 people in the U.S. alone die each year from opioid use.

-States allowing medical use of cannabis have lower rates of deaths resulting from opioid analgesic overdoses than states without such laws....25-30% fewer deaths with medical cannabis.

-Over 17,000 NSAID-related deaths (ibuprofen, Aleve, naproxen, etc) with just osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis every year in U.S. - the 15th most common cause of death.

-Lethal dose of cannabis = 15 pounds smoked in 15 minutes.

-Cannabis attenuates (relieves) morphine withdrawal.

-Cannabis reduces craving in cocaine users because it attaches to receptors in the brain (CB2 receptors).

1. What is the difference between natural and synthetic progesterone?Answer: Progesterone today is available from plant sources. Natural micronized progesterone is an exact chemical duplicate of the progesterone that is normally produced by the ovary. Synthetic progesterone, called progestogen, mimics the action of the progesterone, but the body does not respond in the same way. Studies have shown that progestogen (e.g. Provera) actually reduces the level of progesterone in the blood stream. Progestogens are about 10 times stronger than natural progesterone.